BORAH: Start cutting at the top

Concerning the Coeur d’Alene School District’s $6 million deficit and the closure of Borah Elementary.

On the list of possible cutbacks I noticed there was no mention of the reduction of any administrator positions. That seemed odd to me with a lower enrollment. Wouldn’t you think that student care would come before holding onto all administrative positions? Perhaps they should start at the top.

In 2012, when the district purchased its new office for $2.2 million, many citizens wondered why they needed something so enormous. Much of the building was vacant. Soon there were new hires, assistants to the new hires, and assistants to assistants. All I’m sure were desperately needed! 

Could any of these jobs be consolidated? Is there any possible way Borah could be remodeled, creating a new, less expensive to operate District Office? I have no doubt the sale of the current office alone would more than cover the $6 million shortfall.

Lastly, I understand that anything to do with Coeur d’Alene any more is gold. We citizens pay daily to live in our new “resort” environment. But should that apply to the superintendent’s pay scale that is paid for by taxpayers? Coeur d’Alene’s superintendent is the fourth highest paid in the state. Far more than Boise’s! (North Idaho STEM Charter Academy has him beat though! What a gig! Yep, Coeur d’Alene is pure gold!)

Shouldn’t there be some kind of a “resort” cap to protect taxpayers?

CHARLENE JONES

Rathdrum